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https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/beyond-technique-podcast-photofocus-podcast-february-21-2018
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Welcome to Beyond Technique, a podcast empowering photographers to bring their businesses to the next level!
In this episode, Skip Cohen and Chamira Young dive deep into a discussion about food photography with Christina Peters.
We discuss in detail:
how food photography ties into product, still life, headshot, and livestock photography
accommodating … [Read more...] about Beyond Technique Podcast | Photofocus Podcast February 21, 2018

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In December, I went through some of the most popular social networks and wrote about how to make your images pixel-perfect when exporting. There continues to be one social network that reigns supreme — Facebook.
While it's fairly easy to crop and export for Facebook through Lightroom, it's even easier with the built-in crop tool in Luminar 2018.
Working with the Luminar Crop Tool
If you've cropped images in Photoshop, Lightroom or any other image processing software, you'll feel right at home when doing so in Luminar. Whether you export a … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Cropping for Facebook with Luminar 2018

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Every year I have my ups and downs when it comes to my photography schedule. For me, typically the winters are less active in terms of business, while the fall picks up like crazy. During those slow times, I try to think a bit outside the box in terms of finding ways to get my name out there as a photographer.
Support Your Existing Clients
If your client has an upcoming event that they haven't contracted a photographer for, reach out. They might not be thinking about photography for the event, but here's your chance to offer your services. … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Creative Ways to Expose Your Brand

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https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/the-mind-your-own-business-podcast-photofocus-podcast-february-9-2018
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In this episode, Skip Cohen and Chamira Young chat with photographer and marketing expert Sarah Petty.
We discuss in detail:
Common marketing mistakes many photographers make
tips on pricing
the difficulty of being a "shoot and burn" photographers
picking a business model early on
the strategic things smart photographers do
ways to build … [Read more...] about The Mind Your Own Business Podcast | Photofocus Podcast February 9, 2018

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Last week, I found out that one of my long-term clients had decided to change directions, and go with a large firm that could suit their growing media needs. While I wasn't completely caught off-guard by this, it brought a three-year relationship to an end. It was difficult for the client too, in a sense, to let me go.
Find Out Why and Don't Take it Personally
Getting let go like this is usually no fault of our own. We have to be ready to deal with our client's evolving needs. In this instance, as I said, I had been working with the client … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: What to Do After Losing a Client

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Learn how to make money with your videography and still photography by watching this live New Year's Resolution Webinar Today, Wednesday, January 31, 2018. Photofocus hosts Rich Harrington and Kevin Ames are joined by Adobe Stock experts Dennis Radeke (video) and Mat Hayward (still) to share ways of making money with your library of videos and photos. We welcome questions from those watching live at 3:30 pm EST/12:30 pm PST.
https://youtu.be/LTMUIvqUx5E … [Read more...] about How to Make Money with Videography & Photography Webinar Today!

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As photographers, we're visual storytellers. But we often forget how to tell our own stories. It's important, not only for self-development and improvement, but also for marketing purposes, that we have a story. A pitch. An introduction.
What Makes a Good Story?
A good story is one that's memorable. We might not think our stories are anything special, but it's important to make them special to us. What we show passion for will ultimately be noticed by a perspective client.
For me, my focus is on corporate events. My story entails showing … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: What’s Your Story?

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Learn how to make money with your videography and still photography by watching this live New Year's Resolution Webinar Wednesday, January 31, 2018. Photofocus host Kevin Ames is joined by Director/Producer Abba Shapiro and Adobe Stock experts Dennis Radeke (video) and Mat Hayward (still) to share ways of making money with your library of videos and photos. We welcome questions from those watching live at 3:30 pm EST/12:30 pm PST.
https://youtu.be/LTMUIvqUx5E … [Read more...] about Free Webinar: Make Money with Video & Stills Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018

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Photography has to be seen to be valuable for the photographer. Photofocus publisher, Rich Harrington, and managing editor, Kevin Ames host this tip-packed webinar on how to build a photographic portfolio and get it online. We'll talk about options for online portfolios including myportfolio.com also known as Adobe Portfolio. Learn how to make your photographs seen so they can bring in work. Having work online is key to generating new business. Sponsored by Adobe Stock.
Join the live webinar January 24, 2018, @ 3:30 pm EST / 12:30 pm … [Read more...] about Free Webinar: Make Online Portfolios

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Last week, Facebook announced plans to change its News Feed algorithm. As with any change that Facebook makes, this was met with some backlash from its users — even before it's been initiated.
Usually, I'm one to wait things out, but with Facebook promising to make personal content more important than brand content, this will undoubtedly have a negative effect on brands across the platform. So, as photographers, how do we keep our Facebook pages relevant to this change?
First, the Facts
The news came from Mark Zuckerberg himself, writing … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Preparing for Facebook’s New News Feed Algorithm

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https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/the-infocus-interview-podcast-photofocus-podcast-january-19th-2018
Remember to check out our great sponsors including TruLife acrylic face mounted prints.
Today's episode, Levi sits down with Sharky James.
They talk about their photographer heroes, the industry and more including how he got started in the industry.
Then a fun round table with Pamela Berry, Levi Sim, Bobbi Lane and Kevin Ames as they discuss 2018 trends, goals and tradeshows for the upcoming year.
Get the show … [Read more...] about The Infocus Interview Podcast | Photofocus Podcast January 19th 2018

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https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/beyond-technique-podcast-photofocus-podcast-january-17-2018
Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Please post a review on iTunes.
Welcome to Beyond Technique, a podcast empowering photographers to bring their businesses to the next level!
In this episode, Skip Cohen and Chamira Young dive deep into a discussion about the benefits of having special photography projects with Stacy Pearsall.
We discuss in detail:
How Stacy was brought out of a dark place through the Veteran's Portrait … [Read more...] about Beyond Technique Podcast | Photofocus Podcast January 17, 2018

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This past summer, I had a first-time experience in dealing with negativity on social media. I had contacted someone via email that had used my photograph without asking, in an article that was bashing the client for whom I made the photograph. After reaching out to the infringer, I was attacked on Facebook for photographing for my client.
The negativity piled up on that post by a few of his friends, so eventually, I addressed it. What came next was unexpected. It actually ended up benefiting me rather than the person who attacked … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Responding to Negativity on Social Media

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While editorial uses don't require model and property releases, commercial uses, like selling stock, do. It's always a good idea to keep release forms with you either electronically on your phone or tablet or paper versions. (Adobe Scan and Acrobat Reader make e-releases easy!) Moderator Kevin Ames and Adobe Stock expert Mat Hayward discuss the ins and outs of getting and managing model and property releases. During the live webinar, you can ask questions. The webinar airs on January 16, 2018, at 3:00 pm Eastern and Noon Pacific live from … [Read more...] about Free Webinar: I Will Get Model/Property Releases: Join In Tomorrow!

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https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/the-mind-your-own-business-podcast-photofocus-podcast-january-12-2018
Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Please post a review on iTunes.
In this episode, Skip Cohen and Chamira Young dive deep into a discussion about customer service with expert Shep Hyken.
We discuss in detail:
how to stand out with our photography clients
making every moment count
building loyalty
the combination of customer service + a great product
the expectations of the customer
cultivating customers for … [Read more...] about The Mind Your Own Business Podcast | Photofocus Podcast January 12, 2018

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Photofocus and Adobe Stock are starting your photographic year off with an exclusive series of webinars to help your business.
Resolution 2018 Webinar #2
I will register my copyrights - Thursday, January 11th, 2018 at 3:00 pm EST / 12:00 pm PST
While your photographs are copyrighted when the shutter button is pressed they don't count legally until they are registered. Kevin Ames hosts this webinar on copyright registration. His guests are ASMP Atlanta board member John Slemp and intellectual property attorney Jeff Veal. Together, Jeff and … [Read more...] about Free Webinar: I Will Register My Copyrights: Join In Tomorrow!

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Photofocus and Adobe Stock are starting your photographic year off with an exclusive series of webinars to help your business.
Resolution 2018 Webinar #2
I will register my copyrights - Thursday, January 11th, 2018 at 3:00 pm EST / 12:00 pm PST
While your photographs are copyrighted when the shutter button is pressed they don't count legally until they are registered. Kevin Ames hosts this webinar on copyright registration. His guests are ASMP Atlanta board member John Slemp and intellectual property attorney Jeff Veal. Together, Jeff and … [Read more...] about New Year’s Resolutions for Photographers ~ Register My Copyrights!

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With the marketing and social marketplace changing on what seems like a daily basis, it's easy to get overwhelmed and think you have to be active on every platform imaginable. It's great to have profiles on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google Plus, Flickr, Instagram, 500px, LinkedIn, MySpace (wait, MySpace?!?)... You get the idea. There are a ton of networks out there that can help achieve your marketing goals. But you should only be active on those networks that positively impact you and your business.
A Case Study: Google Plus
Back in … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Be Everywhere — But Only Where it Counts

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Photofocus and Adobe Stock are producing a series of webinar resolutions to help photographers and videographers boost their businesses in 2018. Here's the full schedule:
Resolution #1: I Will Organize My Photo Library: January 5, 2018, 3:00 pm EST/12:00 pm PST
New Year's Resolutions for Photographers from Photofocus • Sponsored by Adobe Stock
This week's resolution is "I Will Organize My Photo Library!" Your hosts, Rich Harrington and Kevin Ames are joined by guests Peter Krough, author of the DAM* Book and Lightroom expert Tim Grey. … [Read more...] about New Year’s Resolution Webinar Series for Photographers & Videographers

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A new year brings new opportunities to make tweaks to your business as a whole. You might add new services, evaluate your pricing structure, revamp your website and more.
There are tons of new marketing tips you can start using right away. I talked to a few different professionals to get their take on the new year with some marketing quick tips.
James Maher, Street & Portrait Photographer (New York)
"Everyone should start out by embracing their personal connections. Particularly for photography, everyone needs a photographer of … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Start 2018 Right with These Marketing Quick Tips

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One of the predicaments many new photographers find themselves in is quite painful - they don't have a robust portfolio of images to get new clients. Yet, they need new clients in order to fill their portfolio. It's kind of a chicken and the egg type of situation, isn't it?
In this post, I'd like to share a few ways to get high-quality, targeted images in your portfolio without having to bang your head on the wall.
Be Strategic About Your "Free Work"
In my opinion, there's nothing wrong with doing a limited number of free … [Read more...] about How to Boost Your Portfolio and Build Credibility

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Let's face it — as photographers, we have to spend a ton of time on social media sharing our images. But depending on the platform, it's not as easy as just clicking the "Upload" button. Different social networks recommend different image sizes, in order to make your photos look as best as possible.
While every social network compresses uploaded images somewhat, the amount your image is effected is often based on the size you upload at, as well as some additional factors, like compression and converting to different color … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Upload Pixel-Perfect Images on Social Media

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When I first started my photography business, one of the biggest things I struggled with was figuring out how I would stand out within my community. It's no secret that photographers seem to be a dime a dozen (sorry), meaning we tend to lurk around practically every corner. Do a quick Google search in your area, and I'm fairly certain you will find quite a few photographers within just a few miles of you.
However, the good news is that there are practical ways you can begin to stand out. You don't have to automatically price yourself as the … [Read more...] about How to Generate Buzz as a Photographer in Your Community

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The time between Christmas and New Year's is the biggest time of year for wedding proposals. So, with Christmas upon us, now's the time to get ready and push packages to newly-engaged couples in your area. Here's a few tips to get you going:
Prep Social Media in Advance
With the holidays, you probably won't be 100% able to monitor and post to social media as you choose. So now's the time to start using a system like Buffer or Hootsuite to schedule out your social media posts.
Because you're going after weddings and engagements, try to post … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Take Advantage of the Influx of Wedding Proposals

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This is a guest post from Skip Cohen (co-host of our business podcast).
Image by lassedesignen
INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION
Think back over the years about the workshops and seminars you've attended. How many programs have you sat through, taken lots of notes and then returned home never to implement the ideas you were so excited about?
It happens to all of us. We’re sitting in a workshop, and we’re in the “zone.” We’re excited about making some changes and additions to our business, but we return home, and life gets in the way. The … [Read more...] about Skip Cohen Invites You to Make 2018 Your Best Year Yet

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https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/the-mind-your-own-business-podcast-photofocus-podcast-december-8-2017
Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Please post a review on iTunes.
In this episode, Skip Cohen and Chamira Young chat with photographer and educator Tony Corbell about running a brick and mortar photography studio.
We discuss in detail:
- The in’s and out’s of having a studio space
- The advantages and also challenges of running a brick and mortar studio
- Work/life balance
- Realistic pricing when running a physical … [Read more...] about The Mind Your Own Business Podcast | Photofocus Podcast December 8, 2017

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If you don’t know how to shoot something, don’t do it and expect to be paid. Be honest and upfront.
Okay, there’s more to it of course. If you want to learn how to do something, absolutely learn it. However, if you take a paying job and you are in WAY over your head, it's probably not the smartest thing to do. I was inspired by a post that commercial photographer had vented about on social media. Someone had contacted him and wanted a step by step detailed guide on shooting a commissioned piece that this photographer had no business accepting … [Read more...] about Be honest and upfront on your work

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I'm often asked by new photographers if freelance job platforms — like Thumbtack, Upwork, etc. — are worth it.
But it's not a simple yes or no question.
Freelance job platforms have their place. They're a great option for photographers looking for new clients, but you have to go about it strategically.
Don't Bend Over Backwards
What I've found with most of these job platforms is that people are looking for services on the cheap. Whether it be photography or videography, you're not going to make the big bucks by scrolling through gigs on … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Are Freelance Job Platforms Worth the Effort?

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A long-time photographer recently reached out to me and shared a painful dilemma. Long story short, she was moving to a different city where she essentially knew no one and needed to start her portrait photography business from scratch. No contacts. No leads. Nothing.
Yikes.
Interestingly enough, I had been in her exact shoes a couple short years before, so I was compelled to share with her the strategy I had used to find clients. Long story even shorter (I won't make you wait until the end!):
I told her to throw a strategic, … [Read more...] about Get Current and Future Clients with a Strategic Portrait Party

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As photographers, we often think of email as a way to communicate with clients or potential clients. Really, email is a tool that can be utilized in several different ways, including marketing.
Starting to build an email list is important as your business grows. And while I've discussed creating personalized emails for your current clients, sending out more generic, regularly-scheduled emails can help to boost your workload as well.
Starting a List
Every client I gain immediately goes into my CRM tool. There are several out there — … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Building an Email List

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Regardless of the type of photography you focus on, Photofocus is here as a helpful and educational resource for the aspiring and professional photographer. Our goal is to assist in your success as an artist.